Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Bech pushes a vending machine cup at Cappelli. “What’s she saying?”

Cappelli hooks a thumb into a pocket “Never gets any fucking better does it? Denying everything of course. Says she’s being framed.”

Bech barks a laugh. “Of course. Just another victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice.”

“Aren’t they all? Still, looks like that lawyer of hers is going to get her sprung. Bail’s set high but the judge is allowing it. No previous. And it looks like they share a school tie.”

Fuck!

“Who is he? He looked pretty high-class to be the legal for a hooker.”

“Theo Aldred. Subs for Max Devlin. From Hofferman and Partners…”

“Hofferman’s? The prosecutors on the Romani Family case?”

“Yup. Don’t envy him that one. They’ve got all the wits under protection and the judge and lawyers have full surveillance.” Cappelli sucks at the coffee, pulls a face. “Stone-cold… You’re right though. You’d not think he’d turn up for the likes of that one would you?” He tilts the cup at Bech. “I’m going to the machine for another. Want one?”

“Thanks, but no. I’m off in five.”

*****

So, the bitch got herself sprung…

Back in his apartment, Bech paces, curses, bangs his fist on the wall. Then…

The blindingly fuckin’ obvious…

He checks the card index,

And sure enough…

Maximillian Devlin. Lawyer. Married twice. Son by previous.

One daughter by current marriage - favourite topic of conversation. Likes rabbits and pink. Got a pony. Gymkhana. Head girl at Ponterbury.

*****

Michael

a moment as I take in stone arches and vaulted ceilings, then brain-cells line up

her, where James slept, the covers are rumpled, sheets thrown back, but when I listen,

an elbow, I take a good look at my Sleeping Beauty. She’s looking better than she has since we returned

Her father…

Christ…

has lost that sallow hue, and her cheeks are brushed with

Babe…

line of high cheekbones with a

out at me for the last few days,

to touch me, she smiles.

stroking her face,

soft and watery. “I’m fine.

don’t think any of us would have reacted well to learning what you did.” Tracing a curved brow with the pad of my thumb. “Sometimes life throws shit at us, knocks us down. There's no sin in falling over. Only in not standing up again.” I replace my finger with my lips, kiss her softly. “But

her gaze, she

continue, “you have to be in a better state than that if you really want to get yourself pregnant.” Her eyes lift again, widening. “Do

voice is a whisper. “Is that

when we talked about it. It’s fine.

curves around the back of my head. “Thank you.” She nuzzles into the crook of neck and shoulder. “I missed you. It was

We both did.” I pull away, holding her gaze. “But I never went away. I never will go away…” She sighs. “And yes, I’ve been looking forward to being back in

forehead creases. “You mean you

you’re not in it with us? He might be

disappoint you there.” James holds a tray. The scents of toast and coffee

and she sits bolt upright. “God, I’m starving.

James grins. “She’s back.”

*****

Twenty-Six Years Ago